to support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to providing assistance, backing, or reinforcement to someone or something. Example: "The organization aims to support local businesses through various initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To support?

The New York Times

To support its I.P.O.

The New York Times

"You have to support them.

The New York Times

You have to support that".

The New York Times

We're there to support Leonard".

The New Yorker

I choose to support him.

The New York Times

("We're here to support them").

The New Yorker

to support his PTL ministry.

The New Yorker

He continued to support Castro.

The New Yorker

I wanted to support her.

The New York Times

It continues to support racism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a formal statement, try adding action verbs like 'advocate', 'promote' or 'uphold' to vary your language while maintaining precision.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences using the phrase "to support". Specify the type of support being offered. For example, instead of saying "We need to support the project", specify "We need to provide financial support for the project" or "We need to offer technical support for the project".

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to support" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier expressing purpose or reason. It can also act as a noun (infinitive as subject or object). This usage is corroborated by Ludwig AI, which identifies various examples where "to support" introduces the reason for an action or the aim of an initiative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

12%

Science Magazine

3%

Unicef

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to support" is very common and serves multiple functions, primarily as an adverbial modifier expressing purpose. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and its usage across various contexts, ranging from offering assistance and expressing agreement to providing evidence. While its register can vary from informal to formal, depending on the source, Ludwig's analysis of usage patterns indicates that it is most frequently found in news and media, followed by formal business and wiki sources. When writing with the phrase "to support", clarity and specificity are key to avoid vagueness and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to back

Emphasizes the intention or purpose behind providing support, highlighting the reason for the action.

with the aim of assisting

Focuses on the goal of helping someone or something, suggesting a more deliberate and planned approach.

so as to reinforce

Highlights the act of strengthening or bolstering something, often used when the existing structure needs added stability.

for the purpose of upholding

Stresses the act of maintaining or defending something, often used in contexts of principles or values.

as a means of advocating

Highlights the act of publicly recommending or endorsing something, implying a more vocal and visible form of support.

by way of aiding

Offers a more indirect or supplemental method of help, often used when other methods are already in place.

in the interest of furthering

Emphasizes advancing or promoting a cause or goal, suggesting a longer-term commitment.

with a view to promoting

Focuses on encouraging the growth or development of something, often used in contexts of progress and innovation.

to be helpful for

Expresses a direct and straightforward intention of being useful or beneficial.

as a contribution to

Highlights providing assistance as part of a larger effort or cause, suggesting a collective approach.

FAQs

How can I use "to support" in a sentence?

The phrase "to support" is used to indicate providing assistance or backing to someone or something. For example, "The organization aims "to support" local businesses" or "The evidence provided is insufficient "to support" the claim".

What are some alternatives to "to support"?

Alternatives to "to support" include "to assist", "to aid", "to promote", "to advocate", or "to uphold", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct: "to support" or "supporting"?

Both "to support" and "supporting" can be correct, but they function differently in a sentence. "To support" is an infinitive form, often used to express purpose or intention. "Supporting" is a gerund or present participle, used as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense. For example, "The goal is "to support" the community" versus "Supporting the community is our goal."

What's the difference between "to support" and "in support of"?

"To support" is a verb phrase indicating the action of providing assistance, while "in support of" is a prepositional phrase indicating alignment or agreement. For example, "The organization aims "to support" local artists" versus "We are "in support of" the new initiative".